Monreale Cathedral:
“William II of Sicily Offers the Cathedral to the Virgin”

 “William II of Sicily offers the Cathedral to the Virgin”. This mosaic, placed in the arch of the transept, has as its protagonist King William II of Sicily, known as "William the Good," who was born in December 1153. His father was William I “the Wicked", king of Sicily and son of King Roger II, and his mother was Margaret of Navarre. In 1166, when his father died, William became king at the age of twelve under his mother's regency. On February 13, 1177 William married Giovanna Plantagenet (1165-1199), sister of Richard the Lionheart, in Palermo. Believed by many to be just and tolerant, William II protected the intellectuals of the time, especially the Arab poets. Muslims had a large representation in the government and religion during his kingdom. The Cathedral of Monreale, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built to show the world that William was now a mature king. This 12th century mosaic in Arab - Norman style is among the oldest and most intact of the cathedral.